FLY-HALF Mark Mapletoft scored 17 points to inspire Irish to a surprise win over Northampton at Franklin's Gardens in their Zurich Premiership match on Saturday.

The former Gloucester player marshalled his back-line expertly and kicked with aplomb as the Madejski Stadium side won their first away match of the season.

Irish were in control for most of the match and led 24-18 at half-time.

Saints battled back to within three points of their opponents with 10 minutes to go, but a 72nd-minute penalty from substitute Barry Everitt wrapped up the points for Irish.

Shane Drahm was the first on the scoreboard for the Saints with a third-minute try, and his score was certainly the spark which ignited the match.

Drahm converted but the Exiles were not rattled and fly-half Mark Mapletoft struck a penalty before feeding centre Geoff Appleford who set up try-scorer Paul Sackey after just nine minutes.

Mapletoft converted before again playing a major role in the visitors' second try.

A costly error by Northampton saw Irish regain control and with magic Mapletoft setting the Irish three-quarters free, winger Justin Bishop was on the end of an overlap.

Mapletoft again converted and he continued to do no wrong. The former England international fooled Saints into thinking he was going to kick a penalty at goal after a Northampton error but by the time Saints realised that he had opted to run the ball, Mapletoft had crashed over the tryline.

His conversion created a 24-7 advantage but the home side were not down and out and bounced back with a solo try by youngster Mark Robinson.

Drahm reduced the deficit further with two penalties before the break to make the half-time score 18-27.

After the restart the tries stopped flowing but the tension continued to mount.

Mapletoft added another penalty to bring his personal tally to 17 points before Irishman Barry Everitt took his place on the field.

But Aussie Drahm kept chipping away at the Exiles' lead.

Two further penalties put the Saints within three points and they continued to battle hard but a crucial late penalty by Everitt handed Irish their first away win of the season.